The Green Bay Packers have some soul-searching to do in the secondary this offseason. While Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine held things down in 2025, it's clear the current cornerback group isn’t quite championship-caliber. If Green Bay is serious about making a deeper playoff push next season, the cornerback room needs reinforcements - and fast.
One name that could remain in the mix, albeit more as a depth piece than a headliner, is Kamal Hadden. The 24-year-old corner is set to enter exclusive rights free agency (ERFA), meaning the Packers can bring him back on a one-year minimum deal without competition from other teams. Given the low cost and Hadden’s familiarity with the system, that move feels like a no-brainer.
But let’s be clear: bringing Hadden back doesn’t mean he’s locked into a roster spot. In fact, he may be fighting for his NFL future this summer.
Kamal Hadden: Familiar Face, Uncertain Future
Hadden’s value lies in his experience with the Packers' system. He’s been around for the past two seasons, even if most of that time was spent on the practice squad. After being released by the Chiefs, he landed in Green Bay in 2024 and made enough of an impression to earn a spot on the 2025 active roster out of training camp.
In preseason action, he made seven tackles and held his own in coverage, allowing four catches for 71 yards on 10 targets, while breaking up two passes - per Pro Football Focus. Solid numbers for a fringe roster player, and enough to earn him a look during the regular season.
But once the games started to count, Hadden saw limited action. He logged just 37 defensive snaps all year, giving up two catches for 12 yards before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 17 against the Ravens. That injury ended any chance of building momentum heading into the offseason.
Now, he faces a steeper climb back into the mix - and the terrain has shifted.
New Coordinator, New Challenges
The Packers’ defensive overhaul brings in a new voice at the top: Jonathan Gannon. And with a new coordinator comes a new scheme, new priorities, and often, new personnel preferences. Gannon will be looking to put his stamp on this defense, and while Hadden has a foot in the door, that doesn’t guarantee anything.
Green Bay is expected to be active in both free agency and the draft when it comes to upgrading at corner. If the team adds one - or even two - high-end players at the position, Hadden could find himself buried on the depth chart. And with a new defensive staff evaluating players from scratch, past familiarity may not carry as much weight as it once did.
Low-Risk, High-Uphill Climb
The good news for Hadden is that the ERFA tender is essentially a no-risk move for the Packers. It gives them a chance to evaluate him through OTAs and training camp without committing significant resources. But that also means Hadden will be under pressure to prove he belongs - and fast.
If he’s not fully recovered from his ankle injury or can’t stand out in a crowded cornerback room, he could find himself on the outside looking in. At that point, he’s not competing for snaps - he’s competing for a job.
There’s still a path for Hadden to carve out a role in Green Bay, especially as a special teams contributor or depth corner. But with a new coordinator in town and reinforcements on the way, he’ll need to make the most of every rep this offseason. Otherwise, he could be one of those training camp names that quietly fades away while someone else seizes the opportunity.